Happy Republic Day

I sleep peacefully because they are. I am safe because they are. 

The TRICOLOUR being hoisted along with the National Anthem, as usual, I have Goose Bumps and unknowingly I am teary-eyed. This has been happening for 50 years. 2021 Republic day, I am overwhelmed with my feelings and thought of sharing these life incidences making a mark on my heart and mind.

The Thin Bridge over the Marshes

Standing at the highest point of Kutch KALO DUNGAR was a thrilling experience. Barren landscape with desert sand all around and a lonely road. Dusk was about to descend on the horizon and far off around 70km, I could see the twinkling lights.

Raju cha-cha clad in the Kutchi attire with a pagdi, the only guide staying at the KALO DUNGAR telling us that they are the lights of Karachi city. Fascinated with the sight I could only see the shoreline. Down below is the marshy land formed with the amazing phenomenon of water, sand, and sunlight.

Curiosity doubled, I bombard Raju cha-cha with questions of HOW, WHAT, WHERE.

From the top I could see the sparsely populated huts in between the marshy patches and a narrow thin bridge stretched from one end to another, I cannot see the end of it. Answering one of my questions and eager to go down the dungar to visit the settlements Raju cha-cha going on with the info tells me that it’s the last point of approach and beyond that is the army /military area. And the bridge is used for patrolling and only in emergencies the border being very close.

The narrow stretch of the bridge over the marshes sent Goosebumps and adrenaline rushing. The sacrifice and the endurance of our soldiers in all situations and weather conditions are just commendable as temperatures in this region can soar high and mercury can dip really down.

Now the MOON was in full bloom and the desert was like a diamond throwing its reflection over the place, such is the beauty of the place and Nature’s phenomenon that you are awestruck and you realize the intensity the place holds. I am filled with pride and respect and once again I am thankful and I understand, I sleep peacefully and I am safe because they are.

While on my Laddakh trip a constant site of military Conveys many in numbers were always given way to pass by as they carry necessary supplies. The slow-moving convey on the winding paths of the mountains made a great sight.

On our last leg of the trip, my co-traveler had breathing issues, the vehicle though stocked with Oxygen supplies was exhausted and we were for a Long Haul. The manager of our resort when asked for help, he reassuringly told us not to worry and made a call to the army base a few Kilometers away.

As we touched the base we were in for a surprise, a team of doctors and a few military personnel received us. The base was totally equipped with all and every kind of emergencies to be handled. The situation was handled with utmost precision keeping in mind the medical and emotional requirements. My co-traveler was in much better condition and we were en route with a new knowledge that there is a Military hospital every 25Km. We were not to worry.

Here I saw the human side of the forces. I was reassured: why I am safe and why I sleep peacefully. Why convoys 100s of them are given way to travel further in this terrain to the soldiers who guard us in below zero temp.

The Pushpak (VANDE BHARAT MISSION)

 The year 2020 has gone down in history, and 2021 has come with a new ray of hope of vaccine. The year 2020 had many heroes providing food, medicine, schooling, and all and every kind of help and support. Genuine kindness was seen and felt in the WORLD.

YES For this one time “The World was one” and we all sailed in it together.

As I pen this down today, the past year has shown us different aspects and hues of life. It’s changed our way of looking at it. Taking it for granted has a different meaning.

We saw the start, a slow and steep rise of the virus, humans locked in and nature healing. Heart-wrenching stories of losing the near and dear ones overwhelmed us. With the world coming to a standstill with the pandemic spreading like a wildfire, Countries with frontline warriors did their best, failing many times but at the same time giving hope most of the time. We saw each one struggling.

For this one time “The World was one” and we all sailed in it together.

As we stayed home, we understood how survival can be minimalistic otherwise taxing ourselves with worldly attractions. With growing respect and understanding importance of many professions.

We came close through technology, kept tab of friends and relatives. Cried at times on not able to extend a hand and heaved a sigh of relief for all being well thanking the technology. We showed patience and believed in the almighty and for that matter our government too, who fought like a warrior to keep the nation safe. Slowly and steadily we accepted the new Normal, With Caution, we crawled back. As we crawl Caution is of utmost importance.

Locked down in Australia

I am eternally indebted and wish to share my story here. I was on my trip to Australia and was due to be back on the 24th March but stayed for about 4 months; though with my daughter, I had stressful patches when the pandemic was on the peak and couldn’t see any chance to getting back to my ailing mother-in-law back home.

Here I am very grateful to the government for commissioning the “VANDE BHARAT Repatriation Flight” my ray of Hope. Millions of Indians were stranded abroad due to sudden lockdown and the flights being grounded, there was mayhem to return home.

Thousands of Indians came back from all over the world in this Pandemic and being one of them, I applaud the efforts of the government for all that was being done as it was a humongous task.

I understood the compelling reasons for each and the overwhelming request that were being catered to. I knew how relieved and overjoyed I was on that phone call from the High Commission and Air India.

All over the world with different time Zones, these flights were like THE PUSHPAK for each Indian. The staff in the HAZMAT suits were all equipped to help at the otherwise crowded and buzzing airports at any Hour of day. Speaking about the crew and Pilots as we were scared they too were.

But when National duty calls, it’s a duty towards the country and for every civilian. It’s not easy to stay in those PPE gears for 12 hours and more and still reach out on the full flight to every passenger. They wanted to do much more but they couldn’t, I have seen senior citizens, pregnant women, and children traveling & being taken care of very well.

My absolute and deep regards to the pilots who l am sure did their very best. My gratitude to every individual working on this mission and machinery as l have seen those functioning at all odd hours.

By the VANDE BHARAT flight as I landed at the Ahmedabad Airport in the peak of the virus, at 4:00 am after a 16 hours flight mentally tired and stressed out expecting another procedural delay, I was in for a surprise.

The Doctors, Nurses, Policemen, and all the necessary government agencies were ready to help out. Leaving their homes, sleep, and families behind placing themselves in danger. The process was very smooth and each official extended all the help possible. Each passenger was relieved and released at the fastest.

Again I was grateful and I understood why I am safe and why I can sleep peacefully. ए मेरी ज़मीं अफसोस नहीं जो तेरे लिए सौ दर्द सहे महफूज रहे तेरी आन सदा चाहे जान ये मेरी रहे न रहे

Salute To my country, my forces, my government, and every frontline warrior

Appreciation and empathy I feel are the keywords of life. Life teaches you all. Growing up in a middle-class background with a cherished childhood and education the meaning of these two words dawn on me much later in life.

Life to date has been great with its upheavals keeping me grounded and teaching me to appreciate the smallest of the deeds and to empathize with every human and most situations.

My parents imbibed in me the virtue of gratefulness and feel every parent today needs to instill this in the children by following it as a religion. It’s easier to take things for granted but when they hit hard you need to touch base time and again and look back.

I strongly believe in inculcating the defense education right from the early age through schooling years and to serve the nation for a stipulated period of time in the area /wings of defense as per their body structure. It must be made mandatory.

This will not only have strong belongingness and ownership towards the nation but will also develop a healthy, responsible empathetic, and appreciative nation.

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